B1 • Reading Comprehension

The History of the Bicycle

Read the passage, then answer the questions.

Name: Date:

Early bicycles looked very different from the machines we ride today. In the early nineteenth century, inventors experimented with two-wheeled vehicles that had no pedals. Riders pushed their feet against the ground to move forward.

Pedals were later added, and by the 1870s the famous high-wheeled bicycle had appeared. Its large front wheel allowed riders to travel farther with each turn of the pedals, but it was difficult to mount and dangerous to fall from.

During the 1880s, the “safety bicycle” changed cycling. It used two wheels of similar size and a chain to drive the rear wheel. This basic design is still familiar today. Air-filled tyres soon made bicycles more comfortable on rough roads.

Bicycles became an affordable form of personal transport and also gave many people greater independence. Today they are used for commuting, sport, recreation and delivery work in cities around the world.

Questions

1. How did riders move the earliest two-wheeled vehicles?

2. What important feature was added later?

3. Why could a high-wheeled bicycle travel farther per pedal turn?

4. What was a disadvantage of the high-wheeled bicycle?

5. When did the safety bicycle change cycling?

6. How were its wheels different?

7. What drove the rear wheel?

8. What made bicycles more comfortable?

9. What does “affordable” mean here?

10. Name two ways bicycles are used today.

The History of the Bicycle — Answer Key

1. By pushing their feet against the ground.

2. Pedals.

3. Because of its large front wheel.

4. It was difficult to mount and dangerous to fall from.

5. During the 1880s.

6. They were similar in size.

7. A chain.

8. Air-filled tyres.

9. Not too expensive/reasonably priced.

10. Any two: commuting, sport, recreation, delivery work.

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